I think it shows extraordinary restraint that we are five or so years into these ‘reading the club’ years before we chose the year that Miss Hargreaves was published. You might think I inaugurated these club years simply as the start of a lengthy campaign to get more people to read Miss H. At the time of writing, nobody has contributed her to the club – but by the time I publish this, that might have changed. And, let’s face it, it’s quite likely that I’ve already strong-armed everybody into reading it.
(If you don’t know anything about it yet, fear not – I’ll explain soon.)
I knew I wanted to re-read Miss Hargreaves for the 1940 Club, because it would seem absurd not to, given how much I talk about it. And I realised it’s actually been quite a long time since I last read. At one point, I was rereading Miss Hargreaves every year or two, ever since it was first recommended to me by my piano teacher in 2003. But it must be about ten years since I last gave myself the pleasure of spending time with Constance Hargreaves.
For newbies, Miss Hargreaves is a novel about a woman who is made up on the spur of the moment. Norman Huntley and his friend Henry are in an ugly church in Lusk, Ireland, being given a tour by an overly attentive verger. Without much thinking about it, Norman claims to have a friend in common with the beloved old minister of the church – that friend being Miss Hargreaves. To entertain themselves, Norman and Henry make up all sorts of silly details about her. She never goes anywhere without her dog, cockatoo, harp and hip bath. She writes poetry and is related to the Duke of Grosvenor. She is nearly 90 years old, but still travelling to enjoy choral music across the country.
As a final joke, they send a letter to a hotel where she is supposedly staying, inviting her to come and visit them in the cathedral town of Cornford. And think no more of it. Until they get a reply…
And then she arrives. Miss Hargreaves is exactly as they have described her – and exactly as lovable and eccentric and slightly intimidating. The novel is a jeu d’esprit about when creative thought gets out of control. And, as time goes on, Miss Hargreaves becomes something of a Frankenstein’s monster – beginning to exert control and challenge her creator. “I hate her and I love her and – I’m half afraid of her,” as Norman says.
When I first read Miss Hargreaves in 2003, it set me off in a direction I’ve never looked back from. I discovered my love of fantastic novels – not set in a fantasy world, but where the fantastic intrudes into the real world. Since then, I’ve read and loved Lady Into Fox by David Garnett, The Love Child by Edith Olivier, Miss Carter and the Ifrit by Susan Alice Kerby, Strange Journey by Maud Cairnes, The Brontes Went To Woolworths by Rachel Ferguson and many others that fit this subgenre. I’ve written a DPhil on the topic. And I always come back to my love for Miss H. So much that I named my (male) cat after her.
This time, for the first time, I decided to listen to the audiobook. Read by Julian Elfer, it was a delightful experience. I’ve listened to a dramatisation of the novel many times, but never the unabridged version – and yet I’ve read Miss Hargreaves so many times that it felt delightfully familiar. I’ve come out the other side of repetition and into it being like spending time with beloved family. I didn’t see anything new or different in it this time; I just loved being back in the company of an old friend.
I don’t reread very much, and when I do it tends to be with a specific purpose – the podcast or book group – and so there are very few books which I return to with this feeling. I won’t leave it ten years ago. At this point, it’s barely even reading – it’s just wallowing, and remembering what it is that I love about reading and books.
Over the years since 2003 I’ve read quite a few other novels by Frank Baker, and none of them hold a candle to Miss Hargreaves. Quite a lot of them aren’t even good. But I am always grateful for this touchstone that does everything that I want a novel to do. Did it form my taste, or does it just answer all the requirements I would have had for a novel even if I hadn’t read it at a formative time? Who knows – either way, thank you to the 1940 Club for giving me an excuse to go back to Cornford.
I am currently reading the book, so will contribute her to the 1940 Club, fear not! It is such a funny, strange little story, reminds me a little of Zuleika Dobson and, as you say, Lady into Fox.
That is a relief, thank you! :D
Reading ‘Miss Hargreaves’ now, for the first time. Charming, certainly, but more nuanced, more layered and a good deal darker than I expected. Eager to see what happens and how it happens, but very much enjoying the ride. Ive just read what strikes me as one of the core messages of the book: God thought we were a very good job and…look at us.
Thank you for introducing me to Miss Hargreaves! I’ve read her in print and listened to her on Audible and love her totally!
Wonderful, Debra, that makes me so happy!
I nearly reread Miss H but it is less than a year since I read it. I was tempted because I loved it so much! I also loved The Love Child and Lady into Fox and Strange Journey despite not really liking science fiction. Is your DPhil in the public domain for non academics to read? It sounds interesting.
Thank you, Sarah, it is! Here’s a link, but if that doesn’t work then you should be able to google the title – Dark, Mysterious and Undocumented: The Middlebrow Fantasy and the Fantastic Middlebrow – https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:e8e4c665-f42c-42c1-81de-1b0f6297a49b/download_file?file_format=application%2Fpdf&safe_filename=THESIS01&type_of_work=Thesis
Thanks Simon; the link works so I will look forward to reading and taking time to inwardly digest and educate myself!
Hi, Simon, I just posted my review of this on your 1940 page. It’s all your fault!
Wonderful! I’ll go and have a look
Ah, lovely, Simon! I know what you mean about special books – they do feel like part of the family, and I’m glad you had a wonderful experience wallowing in it again. I really must revisit it myself!
Well, I’ll just have to get myself a copy. I rarely re-read books too, there are just too many books to get through. So it seems that this might be a ‘Mapp and Lucia’ type of experience for me. Thanks.
Ah, you talked me into reading this book early on and when it appeared here in America, I snapped it up. Miss H is such a memorable and wonderful character, I understand why you revisit the book periodically.
I added it to my list when I researched books. No audio version available and lately that’s all I get done. I can’t wait though–esp as I had to settle for a print book this time. lol
I read this about a year ago now on your recommendation via Tea or Books, and really enjoyed it!! Thank you :) Also, love the idea of enjoying a reread on audio – a new way to experience an old favorite.
Well, high praise indeed. I’ll have to check it out.
I’ve just revisited a review this – here’s the link https://harrietdevine.typepad.com/harriet_devines_blog/2023/04/miss-hargreaves-by-frank-baker-1940.html
It was The Love Child that popped into mind when I started reading your review of this, and while I never got to it for the club, I’ll try and dig up a copy and pick it up soon.
How have I STILL not read this?! It’s the other end of the age spectrum to Your Love Child, and I loved that one, after all. I will get a copy and read it, I promise!
You must, you must Liz!
Oh my, sounds like I really have no choice but read this book, don’t i?
lol
Absolutely!